Male nurse implicated in alleged rape scandal in Mokhotlong

…as he resigns from Polihali job

Moorosi Tsiane

A male nurse stationed at the Polihali Dam construction site is under police investigation after a 32-year-old woman accused him of allegedly drugging and raping her while she was unconscious following a night out in Malingoaneng, Mokhotlong.

The woman, ’Masebatli Thato Ranone, said she has no recollection of how she ended up at the suspect’s house on the night of 17 May 2026 and only woke up the following morning half-dressed, injured and lying next to the naked man she later learnt worked for SUN JV.

The nurse was employed by the joint venture of Sinohydro, Unik Civil Engineering and Nthane Brothers (SUN JV). SUN JV has been contracted by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority as one of the companies building the Polihali Dam.

Police have since confirmed that a rape case was opened at Tlokoeng Police Station and investigations are ongoing.

According to Ms Ranone, the ordeal began after she knocked off from work and joined friends for drinks at a local nightclub in Malingoaneng.

“It was on Sunday, 17 May 2026. I had gone there with some ladies who normally drink at my workplace after I knocked off around 9pm,” she said.

She explained that she only consumed two cans of a cider and part of a cup of a gin cocktail that had been poured for her by one of her companions.

While outside the club, Ms Ranone said she was approached by an unknown woman who accused her of having an affair with her boyfriend.

“She was calm and not fighting. We spoke about the issue and I explained that I did not know the man she was talking about. We continued chatting normally before going back inside,” she said.

Moments later, the same woman allegedly returned with a man Ms Ranone would later identify as a SUN JV employee working at the Polihali project.

“There arrived this guy from SUN JV. I did not know him. He spoke politely and even praised my cooking, saying he often bought food from where I work,” she said.

According to Ms Ranone, one of her friends later informed her that she wanted to leave, prompting her to hand over her belongings.

“That is the last thing I remember,” she said.

“I only woke up the next morning in a place I did not know. The room had white walls and ceilings. I noticed pain on my nose and when I touched it there was a wound with dried blood.”

She said she then realised she was only wearing a T-shirt while the man lay completely naked beside her.

“He asked me what was wrong and claimed I had been very drunk the previous night. I told him I was not drunk because I knew exactly what I had consumed,” she said.

Ms Ranone said the man allegedly told her she had fallen while urinating during the night, but could not explain how she ended up at his residence.

“I asked him how I got there but he could not answer,” she said.

She further alleged that it was while using the bathroom that morning that she realised she had been sexually violated.

“When I went to pee and wiped myself, I noticed that he had slept with me. I immediately started crying,” she said.

Ms Ranone said she tried contacting the friends she had been drinking with, but their phones went unanswered. She then phoned her employer to report what had happened.

During the morning, she said, the man’s colleagues allegedly came knocking at the door asking why he was not at work.

Later, the same woman who had confronted her at the nightclub allegedly arrived at the house.

“He asked her to come inside and see me while I was crying. I tried to speak to her but she dismissed me and said we would talk later,” Ms Ranone claimed.

She said the man later drove her back to Malingoaneng, allegedly attempting to calm her down and repeatedly promising to give her money.

“He kept telling me to stop crying and called me ‘baby’. He said he would give me money, even the M200 that was missing from my bag,” she alleged.

Upon returning to the area where she had been drinking, Ms Ranone said neighbours confronted the man and demanded to know where he had taken her after people spent the night searching for her.

She later reported the matter to police.

“When I arrived at the police station I broke down emotionally and could not even finish filling in the medical forms. The police then ordered that I be rushed to hospital,” she said.

Ms Ranone further claimed that representatives from the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) and SUN JV’s human resources department later visited her.

“They asked if I was sleeping well and suggested I go to their clinic for sleeping tablets,” she said.

According to Ms Ranone, she was later taken to the clinic where she alleges officials spoke to medical personnel before she was attended to.

“The doctor wanted to test whether there were drugs in my body but I refused because I had only gone there for sleeping tablets,” she said.

She also alleged that attempts were later made to persuade her not to pursue the matter with police.

“That woman later came saying he wanted us to solve this matter without involving the police. But I asked them how I could negotiate about my life when I do not even know what happened to me,” she said.

Ms Ranone has since returned to Maseru where she is staying with family after reportedly being granted leave from work.

Contacted for comment, police spokesperson, Superintendent Thabo Mohai, confirmed that a rape case had been opened.

“I have been informed that there is such a case which was reported on 20 May 2026 at Tlokoeng Police Station by a 32-year-old woman from Ha Seoli, Maseru. Investigations are ongoing,” said Supt Mohai.

Contacted for comment, the LHDA also confirmed the case, but said it could not respond to certain questions as doing so could interfere with police investigations.

“LHDA is aware of the matter and regards the allegations with the utmost seriousness. The incident is currently subject to an ongoing investigation by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), and LHDA will continue to cooperate fully with the relevant authorities and the contractor as required.

“Upon becoming aware of the allegations, the contractor, SUN Joint Venture (SUN JV), initiated internal processes and engaged with the complainant to facilitate support, including transportation for medical and police processes, as well as access to medical attention and counselling support. We are further advised that the employee implicated in the matter was suspended by the contractor pending investigation, and has since resigned from his employment with SUN JV.

“Given the sensitive nature of the matter, and in order not to prejudice the ongoing police investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further on specific allegations or details at this stage.

“LHDA remains committed to ensuring that all matters affecting the safety, dignity and wellbeing of individuals associated with the project are treated seriously and addressed through the appropriate legal and institutional processes,” said LHDA Public Relations Manager Mpho Brown.

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